Democratic Freeholder James Tedesco said Monday he will use vetoes and lawsuits more sparingly if elected Bergen County executive, while accusing his rival, Republican incumbent Kathleen Donovan, of “not being able to compromise and work together” during her first term.

But Donovan campaign manager Mark Campbell countered that Tedesco “will go along to get along with the tax-and-spend Democratic freeholder board.”

Both candidates agreed property taxes will be the defining issue of what is expected to be one of the more high-profile contests in New Jersey this year.

Where to listen

To listen to the 30-minute interview with Tedesco, as well as Donovan’s interview on Friday, go to the Bergen Beat blog at: http://blog.northjersey.com/bergenbeat/

But in a Record Talk Radio interview, Tedesco said he sees the style of how he would govern in contrast to Donovan’s as being a major issue. Specifically he cited several lawsuits filed by and against Donovan involving other branches of government over the last three years and her unprecedented use of 30 vetoes since taking office in January 2011 as something that sets them apart.

“Look, I think it goes to a bigger issue,” he said of the lawsuits. “And that’s the ability to negotiate, the ability to work and deal with people.

“You can’t litigate public policy,” he added.

He acknowledged the veto is a power granted to the county executive along with the freeholders’ ability to override — part of the checks and balances of government. But in his eight years as Paramus mayor, Tedesco said, he only used his veto once.

“Listen, the veto is the tool of last resort,” he said. “And it goes back to the philosophy of compromise and working together.”

In an interview Friday, Donovan pointed out that on the majority of county business, she and the freeholder board — where Democrats currently hold a 5-2 majority — have done just that and worked together.

She also noted that some of the lawsuits her opponent cited were filed against her by others, such as by the surrogate and county clerk, both Democrats. In all but two of those lawsuits, one involving a contract for sheriff’s officers and another over her attempt to dismiss members of a utility board, she has thus far prevailed in court.

Donovan also contended that the amount of funds spent on lawsuits during her first term was not as much as what was spent during her predecessor Dennis McNerney’s last four years.

Campbell claimed that Tedesco’s promise of a less-confrontational style of governing is bad news for taxpayers — “There is no doubt that he will fight less hard for the taxpayers,” Campbell said when reached for comment after the program.

He echoed Donovan’s reminder that taxes went up an average of 6 percent for the prior eight years in which Democrats controlled both the freeholder board and the county executive.

Tedesco said he was more concerned with the present and future than the past. He noted the current freeholder board has crafted a budget that calls for no tax increase and cut $6.8 million from a budget that Donovan proposed.

Donovan contends the freeholder budget will create a deficit of $3 million in 2015, but Tedesco said it’s impossible for anyone to accurately predict that with all the variables that go into making a budget.

To listen to the 30-minute interview with Tedesco, as well as Donovan’s interview on Friday, go to the Bergen Beat blog at: http://blog.northjersey.com/bergenbeat/